Ashby Baptist Church

The Baptist chapel in Ashby is one of those quiet Leicestershire discoveries that rewards a gentle detour if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks around Swadlincote. It's a proper working church, modest in scale, which speaks volumes about rural Nonconformist worship in the Midlands. The building itself has genuine character - simple, unfussy architecture that reflects its congregation's values rather than trying to impress.

You won't spend hours here, and that's rather the point. Pop in if the doors are open, have a look at the interior, maybe sit for five minutes in the quiet. It's the kind of place that makes sense after a walk through the surrounding countryside, not as a destination in itself. The nearest town is Swadlincote, which doesn't offer much to linger over, so this works best as part of a broader exploration of the area.

If you're based at Conkers or Fire & Stars - both well-rated sites within four miles - you could easily include Ashby in a morning's ramble. History enthusiasts and those interested in religious heritage will get something from it; families with restless children probably won't stay long. Check ahead about opening times, as it's not a tourist attraction with set hours. Free admission, naturally.